Electric shaver with blade sharpener



June 13, 1950 J. VAN H. WHIPPLE 2,511,138

ELECTRIC SHAVER WITH BLADE SHARPENER Filed Oct. 25, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet1 III 1 //III/ 20 fra INVENTOR ATTORNEYS J. VAN H. WHIPPLE ELECTRICSHAVER WITH BLADE SHARPENER June 13, 1950 Filed Oct. 25, 1947 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JAcK VAN H. WHoPPLE BY main mfiermadwnmi-ATTORNEYS 8 M m H w 1. mW a h TU. N l S N R PO). -v EN T. O 2 a WW mm M1K 0% A S 0 M I 43 uv- M J VAN H WHIPPLE ELECTRIC SHAVER WITH BLADESHARPENER mm|||nmmmu June 13, 1950 Filed Oct. 25, 1947 FIE-.ID

June 13, 1950 J. VAN H. WHIPPLE 2,51 1,188

ELECTRIC SHAVER WITH BLADESHARPENER Filed Oct. 25, 1947 H 4 Sheets-Sheet4 fie- I5 INV ENTOR JACK VAN HMIPPLE 13510;, (Min Haw- AT TORNE YPatented June 13, 1950 ELECTRIC SHAVER WITH BLADE SHARPENER Jack Van H.Whipple, New York, N. Y.

Application October 25, 1947, Serial No. 782,101

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a safety razor, and more particularly to arazor wherein the blade is driven by a motor.

While electric safety razors of the conventional vibrating type arebeing widely used, their structural characteristics give rise to certaininherent objectionable features which the user must countenance. In thefirst place, such electric shavers are incapable of giving other than aslow shave, i. e. it is necessary for the user to pass the razor overhis beard repeatedly. In effect, he scrubs oil his beard, or at leastpart of it. It is well known that these conventional electric shavers donot shave clean unless the user spends an entirely disproportionateamount of time removing his beard. The reason for this is, of course,that the cutting heads in such razors operate back of a guard, and theguard must, of course, have a certain finite thickness which naturallylimits the proximity of the cutting head to the base of the individualwhiskers.

It is, of course, often convenient to be able to shave without the useof hot water and soap, but the fact of the matter remains that alathered heard is more readily removable than a dry one. Conventionalelectric shavers cannot be used with lather. Then too, these shavershave structural characteristics that necessarily render them heavy andclumsy, and their head constructions are such as make it difficult toshave certain portions of the face.

Probably the most objectionable feature of these shavers is theirnoisiness. While efforts have been made to reduce such noise, it cannever be completely done away with as long as a vibrating cutter head isused. Another inherent disadvantage of the conventional electric shaveris its deterioration through use, i. e. its cutting edges become dullerand duller as the razor is used, until finally it must be returned tothe factory or service station for sharpening or for new cutting heads.In this connection, it should be noted that certain types of theseshavers use as many as five cutting heads in an effort to provide aquicker and cleaner shave. This, of course, greatly complicates therazor structure and lends materially to its cost.

It is accordingly among the objects of this invention to provide apower-operated razor which obviates the aforementioned disadvantages ina thoroughly simple and eflicient manner.

In accordance with one form of my invention,

the razor comprises an elongated hollow handle.

with an enlarged hollow head on one end thereof, and in this head arerotatably mounted a-pair of drums or blade carrying members. An endlessblade is carried by these drums, means being provided for adjusting thesharp edge of the blade relative to a slot in the head, so that theblade can be set at its most efficient operating position. In the handleof the razor is disposed a small electric, or, if desired, a springdriven motor, which is connected to the blade carrying drums by anysuitable driving mechanism, so that when the motor is energized, thedrums are rotated at a relatively high R. P. M., thus drawing theendless blade across the slot. It follows that when the blade is drawndownwardly against the whiskers, it moves transversely thereof, thusshearing them off close to the skin, very much in the manner of astraight razor wielded by a barber. Means are also provided forconstantly sharpening the blade while it is driven, so that regardlessof the extent of use of the blade, it is always sharp. Under certaincircumstances, I have found it desirable to locate the driving motorremote from the razor, and under such circumstances, the motor isdisposed in a housing that may be hung on the wall, for example, themotor being connected to the razor by an elongated flexible drivingcable. Where the motor, however, is disposed in the razor handle, Iprovide a seal between the motor and the shaving head, so that the razormay be used with lather, without danger of water entering the motorcompartment and damaging the motor.

In the drawing, wherein I have shown two forms of my razor,

Figure 1 is a rear view of the razor;

Figure 2 is a side view thereof;

Figure 3 is an end view showing the end of the cutting head;

Figure 4 is a view of the end of the razor handle;

Figure 5 is a section taken along line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 1--1 ofFigure 2;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 ofFigure 1;

Figure 9 is a fragmentarysectional view taken along the line 9'9 ofFigure 1;

Figure 10 is an enlarged, exploded fragmentary sectional view of theblade driving mechanism in the razor head;

Figure 11 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 10, but showing thebottom of the blade and blade drum assembly;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a modified form of the razor, wherein awall fixture constitutes a support for the razor, with the driving motortherefor mounted in the wall fixture; and,

Figure 13 is a. front elevation of the wall fixture.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the viewsof the drawing.

Referring to Figure l of the drawing, the razor comprises a handlegenerally indicated at II. on one end of which is an enlarged hollowhead I 6, comprising, as shown in Figure 2, an integral section I1 and ahingedsection l8 which may be swung open to permit access to theinterior of the head. As shown in Figure 7, handle I! is provided with amotor compartment ll, within which is disposed a driving motor 20, ashere shown, an electric motor, connected by a drive shaft 2! to a razorblade assembly, generally indicated at 22. This assembly is unitary, andincludes an endless blade 22, the sharp edge 23a of which (Figure 8)runs along a slot 24 formed in hinged head section I8, this slot runningtransverse to the axis of handle I 5.

Referring back to Figure 7, handle ll may be formed of any suitablematerial, e. g. a pisstic material, and has its bottom end threaded asat lia to receive a threaded dielectric plug- 25. This plug is hollowedout to provide a recess 25a for wires 26 and the edge of the plug bearsagainst a supporting plate 21, which acts as a seat for motor 20. Thus,when plug 25 is screwed tightly into the socket, the motor is forcedagainst an annular shoulder 22 within the handle l5, this shoulderdefining the inner end of motor compartment I 9. Drive shaft 2| issecured to the armature shaft of motor 20 in any suitable manner, andcarries a sealing collar 29 adapted to rotate within a packing gland lldisposed and held between shoulders 3| and 22 in handle l by anexpandable locking ring 22.

The free end 2la of shaft 2| .is squared and is detachably received inthe end 24 of a worm 25 (see Figure rotatably Journaled in assembly 22in a manner which will be described. Thus it may be seen that motor(Figure '7) is removably disposed within razor handle it, from which itmay readily be withdrawn for replacement or repair, merely by unscrewingplug and withdrawing motor 20 and its drive shaft 2| axially of thehandle. It may also be seen that through the provision of packing gland20 any moisture which may enter the upper end of handle I5 is trappedtherein by the packing gland, and cannot leak through into the motorcompartment where it otherwise might damage the motor. While motor 20,as shown, is an electric motor, it will, of course, be understood that asuitable spring driven motor may alternatively be provided if sodesired.

Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, it may be seen that razor bladeassembly 22 includes a chassis having side plates 30 (Figure 10) and 31(Figure 11) to the former of which is securely fastened a generallyU-shaped bracket generally indicated at 38. Plate 27 is removably butaccurately mounted to the underside of bracket 28. Adjacent the ends ofbracket legs 2! and ll (Figure 10) are suitable bearings in which worm35 is rotatably journaled. Secured to and extending outwardly frombracket leg 28 is a bifurcated lug 4| (see also Figure 8) which isadapted to seat on a shoulder 42 in head section II, where it isdetachably secured by a screw 43 extending through the lug into the headsection.

Plate 2! (Figure 10) has its ends recessed or notched as at "a and Nb,and these notches receive respectively bosses and 45 (Figure 7)' shaft2| and worm portion 24 is separable by virtue of the squared end 2|a. ofthe drive shaft which is slidably received in worm portion 24.

Plates 3. and 21 (Figures 10 and 11) carry bearings 48 and 41,respectively, in which are iournaled the ends of a shaft 48 ((see alsoFigure 8). To this shaft is secured a worm wheel 49 which meshes withworm 25. A blade carrying member or drum III is mounted on and rotateswith the shaft when the worm wheel is driven by worm 3|.

The opposite ends of plates 28 and 31 (Figure 9) pivotally supportrespectively a pair of trunnions SI and 52 formed on the end of a shaftII, to which is fixedly secured a bushing 54. As shown in Figure 10.trunnions II and 62 are eccentric to shaft 52 for a purpose that willbedescribed. Referring back to Figure 9, a second blade carrying member ordrum '8 is rotatably mounted on bushing 54 and, together with drum 5.(Figure 11), constitute rotatable supports for the endless blade 23.

A key '1 is pivotally connected to the outer end of eccentric trunnionI2, and may be swung from its dotted to its full line position foroperation. With the key swung to its full line position, it may readilybe grasped and turned so as to rotate shaft 52 (Figure 9). When theshaft is so rotated, it moves bodily toward shaft 48 (Figure 8) thuslessening the distance between the two blade supporting drums 50 and 55to permit removal or installation of a blade 23. as the case may be. Ofcourse, when key 51 is turned in the opposite direction (to the positionshown in Figure 9) drum II is moved away from drum I so that blade 22 istightened about the peripheries of the two drums. With the key in itsFigure 9 position, a hole 51a. (Figure 11) therein may register with apin I2 on plate 31 so that the key may fold flat against the plate, thusassuring that drum I! is held in its fully spaced position relative tothe other blade carrying drum.

Blade 22 would, of course. rapidly deteriorate and become dull uponcontinued use of the razor, and to preclude the necessity of frequentlyreplacing the blade with a new one, or removing it for sharpening, Ihave provided automatic sharpening means, as shown in Figures 10 and 11.Thus bracket leg ll (Figure 10) includes an outwardly projecting yoke,generally indicated at 59, having arms I and I, to which arerespectively pivotally connected arms 82 and 82 of another yoke 84. Yokeit includes top and bottom plates and 68, between which is rotatablymounted a blade sharpening member 81 preferably having, as is bettershown in Figure 8, a spherical abrading surface. Bottom plate 66 (Figure11) has secured thereto or integral therewith an extending arm 69 on theend of which is a follower II. This follower II is adapted to engage thesurface H of a cam 12 which, as shown in Figure 8, may comprise anintegral portion of blade carrying drum 58. Thus, as'drum 58 rotates,cam surface H rocks arm 69 between its full and dotted line positionsshown in Figure 8 to rock blade sharpener 61 between its full and dottedlines. This causes different portions of the surface of sharpener 61 topass over the sharp edge of blade 23, as the blade passes rapidlythereby, thus reducing localized wear of the sharpeners surface. This,of course, restores the edge of the blade, thus assuring its continuedsharpness regardless of its period of use. In order to maintain arm 69,or rather its follower 10 in engagement with surface ll of cam 12, aleaf spring 13 is carried by head section l8 and bears against arm 69,thus holding follower I0 against cam surface H.

The surfaces of blade carrying drums 50 and 55 are quite smooth andhard. By reason of the tight engagement of the blade with the drumsurfaces, a rolled feather edge on the back side of the blade isprevented. In other words, the heavy pressure of the blade against thesmooth,

- hard drum surfaces, and the rolling effect of the drums on the bladeedge, result in bending back or breaking off any microscopic edgeparticles which may have been forced out of the plane of the cuttingedge in a direction opposite to that of the sharpener.

Blade sharpener 61 is mounted between top and bottom plates 65 and 66 insuch a manner as to have a slight cant along the axis of blade 23. Thus,while the blade sharpener 61 rotates upon contact with the moving blade23, a very slight sliding component is introduced, which is sufllcientto maintain a sharp edge on the blade 23 without causing undue wear toit.

In view of the fact that the sharpening action of sharpener 61 will intime wear away the blade edge, means are provided for adjusting thesharp edge of the blade relative to slot 24. Thus, as shown in Figure 9,the left-hand end of bushing 54 is threaded to threadably receive thetoothed hub 14 of an adjusting plate or disc 15 adapted to underlieblade carrying drum 55 and supportthe dull edge of blade 23. As isbetter shown in Figure 10, an angular yoke 16 is pivotally mounted on aheaded pin 11 which is threadably received in a threaded hole 11a inplate 36 (Figure '7). This yoke is biased counterclockwise, as viewed inFigure 10, by a spring I8, having one end fastened to the end of theyoke, and the other end fastened to a lug 19 which may form an integralportion of yoke 59. Yoke I6 rotatably carries a gear 80 having teeth ofthe same pitch as those on hub 14, so that when in mesh therewith, hubI4, as well as disc 15, may be rotated when gear 80 is rotated. Whenadjusting disc 15 (Figure 9) is so rotated, in a direction to move thedisc toward drum 55, it forces blade 23 toward opening 24, andaccordingly makes it possible to adjust the sharp edge of the bladerelative to the opening. In order to maintain blade 23 in engagementwith disc 15, drum 55 is slightly conical, with its inner edge of lessdiameter than its outer edge. Thus drum 55 tends to feed the bladeinwardly of slot 24, and accordingly maintains its dull edge inengagement with adjusting disc 15.

As shown in Figure 9, head section 16 is slotted as at 8 I, and the edgeof gear 88 projects through this slot (see Figure 1) where it is readilyaccessible to the user of the razor. Thus it may be seen that it is avery simple matter for the user to engage gear 80 with his finger andforce it inwardly against the bias of spring 18 (Figure 10) until itmeshes with the teeth on hub I4, where- 6 upon he may rotate the gearand accordingly adjust the blade as hereinbefore described.

In order to provide ready access to the interior of the razor head, headsection i8 is pivotalLv connected to the root of razor handle l5 by apin 82. Adjacent pin 82, head section I8 includes an inwardly directedhook 83, the free end of which is adapted to engage under a latch 84whose body portion is slidably mounted between guides 85 and 86 fastenedto razor head section II. Body portion 81 of latch 64 is slotted as at88 to receive the free end of a spring 89 which is preloaded to biaslatch 84 to the right. as viewed in Figure 8, thus to maintain it inlatching engagement with the end of hook 83. A fingerpiece 90 isconnected to the latch body and extends through the wall of head sectionI! where it is accessible for depression by the user when he desires tounlatch hook 83. When the hook is unlatched, it is, of course, easy toswing head section l8 counterclockwise about its pivot, thus exposingthe interior of the head section and rendering readily accessible theblade assembly disposed therein.

It may now be seen that many of the objectionable features inherent inconventional motor driven razors are obviated by my razor as hereinabovedescribed. The action of the endless blade closely simulates that of abarber's straight razor, in that it shears off the whiskers close to theskin, and accordingly is capable of providing a fast, close shave. Itwill further be seen that my razor may be used with lather as readily asdry, in view of the fact that the motor is sealed from the head, and themechanism in the head is readily accessible for cleaning or drying. Inview of the fact that the operating mechanism in my razor is simple inconstruction, it is not bulky nor heavy, and accordingly the size of myrazor is considerably less than the conventional motor driven shaver; Ofperhaps paramount importance is the fact that the blade in my razor doesnot become dull, but remains sharp throughout its use, and needs only tobe replaced when it has been sharpened down to unusable width. By virtueof the fact that all of the blade driving parts rotate, rather thanoscillate, the razor is vibrationless in use, and accordingly does notcreate any objectionable noise.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, wherein I have shown a modified formof my razor, the razor shown in dot and dash lines is supported by awall fixture, generally indicated at 90. This fixture may be permanently'or detachably secured to a wall and, of course, includes an electricalconnection (not shown) for motor 20. Fixture 98 includes a back plate9|, from which extends a housing 92, within which motor 20 is mounted.The motor shaft 20a is connectable by means of a separable coupling 93to a flexible driving shaft 94, the other end of which is connected tothe razor drive shaft in any suitable manner. In this case, drive shaft2| is coextensive with razor handle 15, and may be detachablyconnectable to flexible shaft 94 (Figure 12) or integral therewith asdesired.

Projecting outwardly from the bottom of housing 92 is a support 95,slotted as at 96 (Figure 12) on which the end of razor handle l5 may besupported, slot 96 accommodating flexible drive shaft 94. A yoke,generally indicated at 91, comprises a cross-piece 98, from which extendlegs 99 and I00, the cross-piece having extending therefrom a post IOI,which may be pivotally secured to housing It in any suitable manner.ThlB when it is desired to mount the razor on fixture ll (Figure 12),the root of razor handle Ills disposed within yoke legs I and I" so thatthe razor head rests therebetween. The weight of the razor on the yokeswings the yoke from its solid to its dotted line position in Figure 12,so that the bottom end of the razor handle rests on support OI, thebottom portion of the razor head resting on yoke cross-piece ll.

Preferably, yoke 91 is under the constant bias of any suitable spring(not shown) which biases the yoke toward its solid line position inFigure 12. If desired, this movement of the yoke may control switch (notshown) so that when the razor is removed from the yoke, movement of theyoke from its dotted to its solid line position closes the switch andthus energizes motor 2|. Replacement of the razor on the yoke, causingthe yoke to swing to its dotted line position, would, of course, operatethe switch to break the motor circuit.

Accordingly, it may be seen that I have provided a motor driven razorwhich attains the aforementioned objects in a thoroughly simple andpractical manner.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim 1. A safety razor comprising, in combination, an elongatedhollow handle, a hollow head on one end of said handle, said head havinga slot formed therein transverse to the axis of said handle, a pair ofblade carrying members rotatably mounted in said head, an endless blademounted on said carrying members and having its sharp edge arranged torun along said slot when said members are rotated, a driving motor, anddrivins means including a drive shaft in said handle connected to saidmotor and to one of said members and forming a driving connectiontherebetween, whereby said members are rotated to drive said blade whensaid motor operates.

2. A safety razor comprising, in combination, an elongated hollowhandle, a hollow head on one end of said handle, said head having a slotformed therein transverse to the axis of said handle, an electric motormounted in said handle, a pair of blade carrying members rotatablymounted in said head, an endless blade mounted on said carrying membersand having its sharp edge arranged to run along said slot when saidmembers are rotated, and driving means including a drive shaft in saidhandle connected to said motor and to one of said members and forming adriving connection therebetween, whereby said members are rotated todrive said blade when said motor operates.

3. A razor in accordance with claim 2, wherein a water-proof seal isdisposed in said handle about said shaft and between the motor and therazor head to preclude passage of moisture through said handle to saidmotor.

4. A razor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the driving meansincludes a worm and worm wheel, said worm being connected to said driveshaft, and said worm wheel being connected to one of said blade carryingmembers.

5. A safety razor comprising, in combination, an elongated hollowhandle, a hollow head on one end of said handle, said head having a slotformed therein transverse to the axis of said handle, a pair of bladecarrying members rotatably mounted in said head, an endless blademounted on said carrying members and having its sharp edge arranged torun along said slot when said members are rotated, a driving motor,driving means including a drive shaft in said handle connected to saidmotor and to one of said members and forming a driving connectiontherebetween, whereby said members are rotated to drive said blade whensaid motor operates, and a blade setting member adjustably mounted insaid head in a position to engage the dull edge of the blade, wherebyupon adJustment said blade may be moved relative to said slot to set thesharp edge of the blade relative thereto.

6. A razor in accordance with claim 5, wherein a blade setting membercomprises a disc which is mounted coaxially with one of said bladecarrying members, and is axially movable relative thereto, and manuallyoperable means accessible exteriorly of said razor head for moving saidblade setting member against the dull edge of said blade, thereby toadjust the sharp edge of said blade relative to said slot.

'7. A razor in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said bladecarrying members is slightly conical in shape with its greater diameteradjacent said slot, and its lesser diameter remote therefrom, wherebyone member tends tofeed said blade away from said slot inwardly of saidhead, and a blade setting member adjustably mounted in said head in aposition to engage the dull edge of the blade and resist its inwardmovement, whereby upon adjustment said blade may be moved relative tosaid slot to feed the sharp edge of the blade relative thereto.

8. A safety razor comprising, in combination, an elongated hollowhandle, a hollow head on one end of said handle, said head having a slotformed therein transverse to the axis of said handle, a pair of bladecarrying members rotatably mounted in said head, an endless blademounted on said carrying members and having its sharp edge arranged torun along said slot when said members are rotated, a driving motor,driving means including a drive shaft in said handle connected to saidmotor and to one of said members and forming a driving connectiontherebetween, whereby said members are rotated to drive said blade whensaid motor operates, a blade sharpening member pivotally mounted in saidhead in a position to engage the sharp edge of saidblade, and meansconnected to said blade sharpening member and operatively associatedwith one of said blade carrying members for pivoting said sharpeningmember relative to the shape edge of said blade to engage said blade andsaid blade sharpening member, thereby to sharpen said blade.

9. A razor in accordance with claim 8, wherein said blade sharpeningmember comprises a rotatable wheel having a spherical treating surface,different portions of which are engaged by the sharp edge of said bladeas the sharpening member pivots.

10. A razor in accordance with claim 8, wherein the means for pivotingthe sharpening member includes an arm connected to said sharpeningmember and engaging a cam on said blade carrying member, and springmeans for holding said arm in engagement with said cam, whereby as saidcam rotates with said blade carrying member it rocks said arm back andforth, thereby pivoting said blade sharpening member.

11. A razor in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said bladecarrying members is rotatably mounted on a shaft, and said shaft havingeccentric trunnions at its ends carried by bearings in said head, andmanually operable means connected to said shaft for rotating the shaft,thereby to move said one blade carrying member toward the other of saidblade carrying members thereby to eiTect removal or installation of saidblade about said members.

12. A safety razor comprising, in combination, a handle, a hollow headon one end of said handle, said head having a slot formed thereintransverse to the axis of said handle, a pair of spaced supportingplates, a pair of blade carrying members rotatably supported betweensaid plates, an endless blade mounted on said carrying members andhaving its sharp edge arranged to run through said slot when saidmembers are rotated, a, pair of locating bosses integral with said headand extending inwardly thereof, one of said supporting plates having apair of recesses adapted respectively to receive said bosses to locatesaid plates and said members in said head, means for detachably securingsaid plates and said members as an assembly in said head, and means fordriving said blade carrying members.

13. In a safety razor having a slotted head within which a blade ismounted on supporting and actuating mechanism, that improvement whichincludes the provision of a blade sharpening member movably mounted insaid head in a position to engage the sharp edge of said blade, andmeans connected to said blade sharpening member, and operativelyassociated with said mechanism for moving said sharpening memberrelative to the sharp edge of said blade to eilect engagement betweensaid blade and said blade sharpening member thereby to sharpen saidblade.

14. In a safety razor having a slotted head within which a blade ismounted on supporting and actuating mechanism, that improvement whichincludes the provision of a blade sharpening member movably mounted insaid head in a position to engage the sharp edge of said blade, andmeans connected to said blade sharpening member and adapted uponactuation to move said sharpening member relative to the sharp edge ofsaid blade to efl'ect engagement between said blade and said bladesharpening member thereby to sharpen said blade.

JACK VAN H. WHIPPLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 703,784 Grosheim July 1, 19021,360,778 Neel Nov. 30, 1920 1,759,981 Elzinga May 27, 1930 1,788,614Blackmore Jan. 13, 1931 1,950,097 Brlmner Mar. 6, 1934 2,196,786 WahlApr. 9, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 527,341 France July 22,1921

